Young Composers Project 2009-2010

The Young Composers Project offers students an opportunity to be mentored by a working composer and to write a classically inspired piece of music to be performed by professional musicians at the composers' schools and in a public forum. The program is open to students in grades 6 through 12 who have demonstrated an interest in composing instrumental music. The Young Composers Project is not a competition, but a chance for students to learn from and share ideas with their peers and to work with professional composers and musicians. The Manchester Music Festival offers this program free of charge to participants.

The 2009-2010 Young Composers Project was launched in October 2009 and featured six students from four local schools; Victoria Biller and Daniel Colson from Burr & Burton Academy, Ramsay Eyre from The Dorset School, Ryan Albert and Joe Plotts from Arlington High School, and Rowan Rainwalker from Long Trail School. They were mentored by New York based composer/arranger Brian Coughlin. With Brian's guidance, the students worked independently and met weekly goals set for them. A website was created to facilitate viewing compositions and to promote feedback. Once a month, the composers and Brian met in person to assess progress and exchange ideas. All the compositions were completed by March 1, 2010.

On April 5, 2010, the Fireworks Ensemble came to Manchester for a week-long residency with the Young Composers. Each piece was “work shopped” with the musicians, an opportunity for the composers to hear their piece played live for the first time and to share ideas and receive feedback in order to put the finishing touches on their compositions. During the week, each student's piece was played by the Fireworks Ensemble at an assembly at their school. Approximately 800 area students attended the four assemblies. There was lively conversation between the audience, the composers, and the Fireworks Ensemble at each venue.

The week culminated with a public evening performance at the Riley Center for the Arts at Burr & Burton Academy on April 8th featuring all of the student pieces and the Fireworks Ensemble's tribute to the golden age of animation “CARTOON”.

2009-2010 Program Participants:
Program Coordinator: Heidi Johnson - Manchester Music Festival
Composer & Mentor: Brian Coughlin - Fireworks Ensemble
Assisted by Composer & Arranger Jared Shapiro

Young Composers:
Daniel Colson, Burr & Burton Academy
Victoria Biller, Burr & Burton Academy
Ramsay Eyre, Dorset Elementary School
Rowan Rainwalker, Long Trail School
Ryan Albert, Arlington Memorial High School
Joe Plotts, Arlington Memorial High School

Listen on YouTube:
Daybreak, Daniel Colson, composer
Mystery Dance, Victoria Biller, composer
War for Independance, Ramsay Eyre, composer
Processional, Rowan Rainwalker, composer
Country Matters, Ryan Albert & Joe Plotts, composers

The Young Composers Project was made possible by a generous gift from the Vermont Country Store and individual friends of the Manchester Music Festival.